orchard

noun

or·​chard ˈȯr-chərd How to pronounce orchard (audio)
Synonyms of orchard
: a planting of fruit trees, nut trees, or sugar maples
also : the trees of such a planting

Examples of orchard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Today, Seminary Hill Catskills boasts their very own orchards, a world class cidery, a tasting room, and The Boarding House where in-the-know guests can stay. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026 The business describes itself as the largest apple orchard in New Hampshire. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 Head outside, and orchard and Japanese gardens span the exterior, alongside flower and herb gardens for plenty of greenery. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026 So when the Israeli evacuation orders drove his family to the Nuseirat refugee camp in October 2023, the shape of his orchard remained mapped in his mind – row upon row of grapevines and grids of fig trees, each 4 yards from its neighbor. — Ghada Abdulfattah, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for orchard

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ortgeard, from ort- (from Latin hortus garden) + geard yard — more at yard

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orchard was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing orchard

Rhymes for orchard

See All Rhymes for orchard

Browse Nearby Words

orch
orchard
orchard bush
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orchard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchard. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

orchard

noun
or·​chard ˈȯr-chərd How to pronounce orchard (audio)
1
: a place where fruit or nut trees are grown
2
: the trees in an orchard

More from Merriam-Webster on orchard

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for orchard

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about orchard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All